YOUNG-LAPLACE EQUATION

Equation of Capillarity

R1
R2

- Interfacial Tension
P - Pressure
R - Radius

2
P
R

P
R

1
1

R1
R2

For Spheres

For Cylinders

Pressure inside a drop or bubble (like a balloon)

is always greater than in the continuous phase
(air outside the balloon).
As the radius becomes smaller, the pressure
becomes larger

Liquid Thread Break-Up

PLow

PHigh

Flow

Flow

Make a thread of liquid using say Kero syrup

Where the cross sectional area is small, there is a
higher curvature resulting in high pressure. Where the
cross sectional area is large there is lower curvature
resulting in lower pressure. This leads to flow from high
pressure to low pressure causing break-up of the liquid
thread.